Patent GB-395878-A (GB)
Title: Coin freed apparatus for playing games of skill or chance
IPC: G07F17/38
Filed: 1932-07-19
Abstract: 395,878. Amusement apparatus. SCOTT, R. W. and ADICKES, A. W., 329, High Holborn, London. July 19, 1932, No. 20408. [Class 27.] Tivoli billiards and the like.-Coin freed apparatus for playing a ball game similar to bagatelle comprises a board 1, Figs. 1 and 2, having a plurality of holes 4 which may be partially surrounded by pins 3, and a plate 5 arranged beneath the board 1 and provided with holes 6 corresponding with, but not normally in register with,. the holes 4, the plate 5 being slidable to bring the two sets of holes into alignment and thus release the balls which have collected in the holes 4 during play. The plate 5 is actuated by a spring-controlled pivoted arm 13 carrying a pin 12 which abuts against a slide 8 operable from outside the machine, the balls thus released by pressing the slide inwardly against the action of the spring falling on to a sloping tray 33. The slide 8 is now allowed to return to the fullline position shown in Fig. 5 and is then further withdrawn to the dotted-line position in Fig. 5, thus moving over an arm 27 against the action of a spring 34. The arm 27 forms one cranked end of a transverse rod 26, the other cranked end 29 of which engages a vertically slidable runway 32, which, by the withdrawal of the slide 8, is lowered to receive the balls from the tray 33 ; release of the slide 8 then enables the runway, which slopes transversely, to elevate the balls to the playing position, in which they abut against the side of a spring- controlled plunger 35, Fig. 1, whereby they are shot along the alley 36a one by one in an attempt to lodge them in the holes 4, to which various scores are assigned. Certain holes 39 may be associated with elongated slots 40 in the plate 5 so that they are always open to the tray 33, balls entering these holes being available for re-play by an actuation of the runway 32. Holes 38, cleared in the same manner as the holes 4 but carrying no score, are provided to receive all balls which have failed to enter any of the other holes. In a modification, Fig. 11, the runway 41 is held down by the engagement of a plate 46 thereon with one end of a cranked arm 42, the other end of which is engaged by a plate 44 on the slide 8 to release the runway, which is elevated by a pivoted arm 49 under the action of a spring 47 into the playing position, from which it may subsequently be lowered by an external handle 52. Coin action, mechanical-connection.-The slide 8, Fig. 5, is withdrawn to the dotted-line position to enable a coin 9 to be inserted vertically in a slot 10. When the slide is pressed inwardly the coin engages a pawl 18 and lifts it clear of an abutment 19 on the slide. Teeth 24 on the slide 8 passing over a pawl 25 cause the slide to vibrate and thus dislodge the coin, which falls into a suitable receptacle ; in case it does not become dislodged, it is pushed off on the return stroke by a spring-pressed plunger 23. If desired the slide 8 may be adapted for the insertion of a coin in a horizontal position. Registering.-In the form shown in Fig. 11, a meter 56 is actuated each time the slide 8 is moved inwardly.